Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Adoption Legislation.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

273 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish citizens who have been legally adopted here are at a severe disadvantage compared to Irish citizens legally adopted in the Six Counties with different rights of access to court and birth record information, having regard to the Good Friday Agreement and the commitment to an equalisation of rights on this island; and the action he intends to take to remedy this matter. [23855/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Earlier this year I initiated a consultation process on adoption legislation to give interested groups and individuals the opportunity to comment on existing and proposed adoption legislation. The second stage of the process, a conference to discuss the issues raised in written submissions, was held last weekend. One of the many issues being dealt with in the course of the consultation process is access to post adoption information. The issue of records which can be accessed in the UK and other jurisdictions was one of the matters raised at the conference.